Friction, 2005
rating: 4/5
reviewer: matty g
tinymixtapes.com
styles: spazz, hardcore, punk
others: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Blood Brothers
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I didn't even want to go to the show. I was in a super-lazy mood, and all I wanted to do was go home,
lay in bed, and watch a movie or three. After the first band bored my ears off, my apathy only got
worse, and I was about to leave just as Ari Ari took the stage. They then proceeded to completely melt
my face and I had no choice but to leave and hit up an ATM immediately after they were done so I could
score a shirt and this CD that I'm reviewing right... now.
I can't count the number of times a band has blown me away live, but left me extremely disappointed with
the CD (These Arms Are Snakes, I'm looking at you). And while There's a New Sheriff in Town isn't as good
as Ari Ari's incinerating live show, it sure as hell isn't anywhere near being a disappointment. Not only
does it have some of my favorite artwork of the year (think Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone meets
Burn, Piano Island, Burn), it's also got some of my favorite tunes as well.
The whole thing's brief, 12:36 to be exact, but if it were any longer, you'd probably need medical attention
after listening to it. Ari Ari rip through the five songs without letting up the pace once, and never stop in
one place for too long. Normally with a band like this, there are times when I wish they would explore a single
idea further before they leave it in the dust, but every change on There's a New Sheriff in Town feels entirely
appropriate, like the song just might die if they stop moving. Jill (last names are entirely absent from
everything about the band I've found) sounds like a complete madwoman, and you can just imagine her grabbing
everyone around her, pleading for help with wide eyes and a look of confused desperation on her face as she
shouts her way through the songs. (Which is exactly how she performs. You really need to check them out live.)
There are moments like on "Liquored Up and At 'Em" (oh yeah, their song titles are pretty aces too), where Jill
loses any sense of sanity and her voice rips through your head like a buzzsaw. I wish I were exaggerating, but
I'm not; she seriously sounds like she's going to rip you the fuck apart.
Acting as the backbone, Mark's synthesizer lays a solid foundation for Ryan's
experimental-hardcore-art-punk-spaced-out-whatever guitar workouts and Brandon's acrobatic drumming.
Everything comes together perfectly in a spazzy mess and with Jill's vocals they form like Voltron into a vicious
rock beast with the power of ten normal bands and the capability to completely fuck up your face, much like they
did mine that fateful night. Make sure you've got a good health plan and strap yourself in for one of the best
rides this year from one of the most promising bands I've heard in a while.
RECOIL MAGAZINE REVIEW:
Matt Jensen 7.05 (recoilmag.com) Ari. Ari. There's a new sheriff in town
The thing to think of when Muncie, Ind., comes up is the Coen brothers' movie The Hudsucker Proxy.
Now there is something new that hails, nay, screams from that area of the Midwest. There are four
of them, and they call themselves Ari. Ari. This debut EP was recorded in twelve hours. Instead of
sounding rushed and sloppy, it sounds energetic and tight. Most importantly, it serves as the first
taste of a talented post-punk band that will surely do well. Check them out at frictionrecords.net.
SLUG MAGAZINE REVIEW: Ari Ari
There's A New Sheriff In Town EP
Friction Records
Street: 5.05
Ari Ari = Melt Banana + More Volume + estrogen > testosterone
Ari Ari have been described as a spazzy indie four-piece, which does not do the band justice. There is so much more going on with this post-hardcore proto-punk wad of goodness. The ripping, grating, beautiful female vocals are complemented perfectly by convulsive rhythmic guitar, vicious fat synths and articulated drumming. The music is unrelenting and cacophonous, but still retains an element of humor. Song titles like "Kim Jong Ill Communication" and "Liquored Up and At 'Em" are a good contrast to the very rhythmic, slanted sound of this EP. Clocking in at about 12 minutes, Ari Ari make great use of their time in producing a very listenable and energetic prequel to an upcoming full-length. The short length of this EP is a good thing considering the energy that is required to listen to the constant tempo and syncopation changes. They are a definite must-see live. (Kilby Court: 08.09) - Andrew Glassett
Press... High Resolution Photo - High Resolution One Sheet
ARI.ARI. MUST BE STOPPED.
The spazzy, indie four piece (ryan-guitar, brandon-drums, mark-synth, jill-vocals)
from muncie, indiana has stolen the midwest and is headed for the major cities on
both coasts and everywhere in between.
After only seven months as a band they have more than 60 shows and two tours
under their belts. They've played with bands such as Racebannon, The
Ex-Models, Mouth of the Architect, Holy Mountain, North Lincoln, The Phoenix
Bodies, The Stnnng and Brazil to name a few. They were recently mentioned
in the april issue of Alternative Press.
This summer Ari.Ari. sets out for a 70 day tour in support of their newly
released EP "There's A New Sheriff In Town" It was recorded in a twelve hour
session in a living room and intended as a demo. Ari.Ari. and Friction
decided the raw, one-take session well-represented their live show. Its their
stage performance that sets them apart. Ari.Ari takes the stage and makes
it their own. On top of speakers, on top of each other, in the crowd, on
the floor... the best twelve to eighteen minutes of your life.
$6.00 Add to Cart |
ARI ARI There's A New Sheriff In Town ep (fric-020) 1. Liquored Up and At' Em mp3 2. Set Your Strobelight To Stun 3. Backseat O.D. 4. Such A Sinker 5. Kim Jong-Il Communication |
Copyright 2005 Friction Records Label Contact:frictionrecords@gmail.com